Frequently Asked Questions
Please refer to About Montessori for more details.
To explain the difference between a Montessori method and daycare, it’s helpful to focus on the educational philosophy, learning environment, and goals of each:
Educational Philosophy
Montessori Method: Montessori is an educational philosophy developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, emphasizing self-directed, hands-on learning in a carefully prepared environment. The focus is on nurturing a child’s independence, creativity, and natural desire to learn. Montessori classrooms typically mix age groups (often 3-6 or 6-9 years), which promotes peer learning and social development.
Daycare: Traditional daycare centers primarily focus on child supervision and care rather than a structured educational approach. While some daycares incorporate learning activities, the focus is often on providing a safe and engaging space for children while parents work. Daycares may offer enrichment activities, but these are generally less structured and not always tailored to individual developmental needs.
Learning Environment
Montessori Classrooms: These are designed to encourage independence and exploration. They often feature low shelves with accessible, self-correcting(autodidactic) materials that allow children to choose their activities and work at their own pace. Teachers, called "guides," observe and facilitate the learning. Montessori classrooms are calm and organized, fostering focus and self-discipline.
Daycare Setting: Daycares usually have age-based classrooms with toys, books, and activity centers. Activities tend to be more play-based and scheduled, with less emphasis on individual choice or self-guided learning. Staff members lead structured group activities and provide general care.
Learning Goals and Outcomes
Montessori Method: Montessori education aims to develop the whole child, focusing not only on academic skills but also on social, emotional, and practical life skills. Children learn through exploration, hands-on activities, and responsibility within a structured framework, developing self-confidence, concentration, and a love of learning.
Daycare: Daycare centers primarily aim to keep children engaged and happy in a safe environment. While children may learn basic skills (colors, numbers, shapes), the focus isn’t on academics or individual skill development in the same structured way.
Role of the Montesori Teacher/Caregiver
Montessori Guides: In Montessori, teachers play a subtle role as facilitators, observing each child and introducing new challenges/lessons based on readiness, not age. Their role is to support individual development rather than direct instruction.
Daycare Staff: In daycare, staff members focus on caregiving, leading group activities, and ensuring the well-being of all children. Their role often includes direct supervision, instruction in group settings, and providing emotional support and basic education in a playful manner.
In summary, Montessori education is more than just care—it’s a structured educational approach that emphasizes personal growth, autonomy, and learning. Daycares provide a nurturing environment but typically don’t have the same structured, child-led focus that Montessori schools do.
Montessori education is particularly impactful for children during the early childhood years, from ages 2 to 6. This period aligns with the “sensitive periods” identified by Dr. Maria Montessori, when children are especially receptive to learning specific skills such as language, order, and sensory exploration.
It is recommended that the Child spends between 2-3 years in Montessori environment to get the maximum benefit, this will form a solid foundation that would help them throughout their life.
AMI is the international organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori which trains and certifies Montessori teachers across the world. AMI is the steward of the Montessori educational approach. Please refer to AMI website for more details.
Yes, We are one of the few Montessori schools in the Phoenix Metro area to have All the lead teachers (primary) who are AMI trained and certified. AMI Montessori is often chosen by parents and educators who want a pure and authentic Montessori experience, with stringent teacher training and a curriculum that remains true to Maria Montessori's original vision.
Please refer to Montessori and MainStream Education for more details.
LAMS provides enrollment for children ages: Toddlers (18+months-3 years) and Primary (3-6 years).
Please refer to Our Programs for more details.
No, The primary goal of a Montessori environment is to create a culture of consistency, order, independence and empowerment. Attending only two or three days per week makes creating such a classroom culture much more difficult to achieve and much more difficult for a child who attends only off and on to embrace and get the most from.
Please refer to our Enrollment Process for steps invloved in enrolling a child at LAMS.
Enrollment of a child at LAMS is based on various factors determined by LAMS. You have to fill out the online application form to be considered for enrollment.
Taking a tour or filling the form does not guarantee enrollment. Students priority for enrollment is calculated on various factors including application date, start date, program, wait-list etc
Once application is approved, a spot can be held:
- Upon paying registration and material fee.
- Start date has to be within a month of holding the spot.
LAMS tours are scheduled by appointment only
You may check availability and schedule a tour here.- Walk-ins will not be entertained as it disrupts the work cycle of the children.
Availability for someone on waitlist depends on a number of factors including children leaving the program (toddler/primary), moving to different program, your priority on waitlist etc and is difficult to predict but LAMS will let you know as and when a spot becomes available.
We understand that there can be circumstances which may require parents to change the program for their child. You will need to submit the change request in written (or email) to Director LAMS for review and approval. Once the request has been approved no more changes can be made for 6 months from date of approval, unless the new program is higher tuition e.g Fullday to ExtendedDay.
Tuition fee or Cost for each program is different and is provided on Our Program page, based on age group of the child.
Yes before & after care is available if you want to drop off or pickup your child outside the stipulated time for the program your child is enrolled in. The cost is calculated based on the time when a child is dropped off or picked up at the rate of $15/hr and $1/min after 5:00pm.
There is a 10% discount on monthly tuition fees for siblings(of the lower tuition amount)
Montessori education involves prepared environment where the childs explores & learns. This environment include material for various activities like sensorial, math, language etc. These materials wear out, break or are lost as they are used by students and need to be replaced on a regular interval to enable students to continue learning. Some of the examples of Montessori materials can be found here.
LAMS is not contracted with AZ DES. It is the parents responsibility to make the full fee payments by the due date. If LAMS receives any payment for your child directly from DES, LAMS will process the amount accordingly. It is the parents responsibility to communicate and work with DES directly, LAMS will not be involved in any way.
LAMS is not contracted with AZ ESA via ClassWallet. It is the parents responsibility to make the full fee payments by the due date. LAMS will provide the receipt for the payment which then can be used for reimbursement through ClassWallet (refer video for more details). LAMS will not be involved in any way.
Once enrolled Monthly tuition fee is not prorated under any circumstances.
Based on your child's enrolled prgram you may be charged for any extra time the child spends at school either before OR after the program timing. The cost of extra time is $15/hour and $1/min after 5:00pm.
Only for the enrollment month, if the child's start date is 15th of the month or later, the tuition fee for that month will be prorated. No other fee will be prorated.
All Fees (tuition, registration, material etc) once paid are non-refundable under any circumstances.
Monthly tuition fee is due on the 1st of every month. After 5th of every month a late fee will be charged. For any financial difficulties please contact LAMS office.
Monthly tuition fee can be paid via cash or check payable to Little Angels Montessori School.
We understand that due to various reasons like travel etc parents may like to withdraw their child for a month or more. In such situations Parents have 2 options:
- To disenroll your child, that way you do not pay tuition and re-enroll later at a date that works for you. LAMS cannot guarantee that there will be a spot available at that time, also you will have to pay all applicable fee for enrollment.
- Continue paying tuition during withdrawl period so that LAMS can keep a spot for your child when he/she comes back.
Parents usually are able to tell if the child is coming down with something, we request them to keep the child home so that the spread of disease can be contained.
Fever, throwing up, pink eye, diarrhea and presence of lice or any other contagious sickness are the most common conditions for which the child is asked to be picked up from the school by the parent. To return to school:
- Child has to be fever free 24 hours without medicine
- Any contagious disease- a doctor's note is needed
- If a course of antibiotics has been prescribed, for any condition by the doctor, please wait 24 hours for it to take effect.
You can find all the details of LAMS curriculum in Parents Handbook for Primary and Toddlers
Toddler daily reports are sent out via email by the lead teacher which covers: the time the children went out to the playground, lunch and snack details- what all they ate and how much, nap times, book read and activities done. Diaper change timing or the toilet usage timings and for what reason is mentioned as well.
Primary classroom there are no daily reports. Here at LAMS we are a traditional Montessori school, we believe in the teachers being present and engaging the child. Our facebook page will be updated periodically with photos of what the children are currently working on and learning. Parents will get an opportunity to come into the classroom twice a year to observe their child working, which will be followed by a conference with classroom Lead Teacher. Photos of child's activities that are taken for our facebook page are taken organically and not staged, so that the children can benefit from an authentic AMI Montessori experience.
Parents have to drop the child at the door from where the teacher accompanies them to the classroom.
LAMS does not have school bus, Parents have to dropoff/pickup the child at school.
LAMS does not provide photos of child's daily activities. This is a distraction to the child and the prepared environment required for montessori learning. LAMS does share photos (Social-media parent approval required in enrollment application) on our facebook page from time to time.
No, LAMS does not have a summer program we are closed for the month of July. No tuition fee due only for July.
To access your child's student information and provide updates on any absences, please use the Parent Portal. Please use the username/password you used for submitting the Child's LAMS Application (you may have used Sign In with Google, Sign in with Apple or created a username/password)
In case, you want additional login(s) to your child's student account please Sign up using your preferred method and send your email address to LAMS to link the student account.
As per our licensing authority (AZDHS), LAMS is required to maintain daily record of Student attendance. It is the Parents responsibility to SignIn/SIgnOut their child using the LAMS Attendance system (using iPad).
Please make sure when Siging In/Out you provide your signature and receive SignIn/Out completed message on the iPad. If you do not see the message your child has NOT been SignedIn/Out, so please try again or contact LAMS staff for further assistance.
Failure to SignIn/Out a Student will result in an automated email being sent to the Parents.
You may use the Parent Portal to view your child's attendance and/or submit any absence.
No devices or screen time is allowed in the classroom. At LAMS, we follow the Montessori philosophy which emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning and real-world engagement with emphasis on interpersonal communication.
Please refer to LAMS privacy policy